Rossi, N. 2017. The other 3Rs: Reduce, reuse, and recycle for rodents. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 5(1) (March), 44-46.

Since funding can be scarce, I seek novel and economical ways to promote the psychological wellbeing of the animals through environmental enrichment and allow research animals to express species-specific behaviors and control their environment to reduce anxiety and stress. Due to the expense, commercial shelters are not available for all rodent cages. At our facility, rodents are fed special diets from glass jars to facilitate an easier weigh-back measuring method. I observed the animals removing food from the jars and sitting in them. This inspired an idea of how to give all the rodents shelters and extra enrichment without spending a dime. Staff donated various glass household food jars and animals that were allowed shelters were given glass bottles and jars. In all rooms, rodents used their given shelter, whether glass or plastic. When given the option, however, rats and mice tend to choose glass bottles over plastic. Breeding mice chose to create their pup nests in bottles and jars instead of plastic igloos. The addition of recycled glass household jars to a rodent enrichment program fulfills the need for shelter, promotes psychological wellbeing, has numerous benefits over plastic, and is a readily available no cost option.